Wearing Paraphernalia On the Job

[tld221]

Originally posted by Bajan_Delta
Unfortunately because I'm in HR, I don't wear much nalia to work, nor can I use it to decorate my office. I don't someone to come into my office during an interview from XYZ sorority and cause me problems if they don't get the job. I have heard people say that this person didn't give them a chance because they in were ABC or HIJ org.

i worked in HR this past summer, and none of the greeks in my office (or at the firm in general) displayed letters for similar reasons.

on a personal note, my job is being an RA, which is inherently, being a student. so para is what's up! in fact i try to wear it more as the weather warms up, as neos are coming out and as greek life in general is picking up here.

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by tld221
i worked in HR this past summer, and none of the greeks in my office (or at the firm in general) displayed letters for similar reasons.

on a personal note, my job is being an RA, which is inherently, being a student. so para is what's up! in fact i try to wear it more as the weather warms up, as neos are coming out and as greek life in general is picking up here.

I work right in the thick of NYU, and I don't see too many people wearing letters--is this just something that happens more in the spring? I do see more MCGLO letters than NPC/NIC orgs.

[LikeASista]

Apparently, I used a wrong choice of key words in the search box, e.g., "sorors who teach" instead of "para on the job". Anyway ...

This thread has certainly enlightened me. I will be teaching Choral and General Music at a HUGE middle school this coming Fall, so I'm sure there will be a nice group of "non-clear" teachers roaming about. I know there are two AKAs on staff there at present, so I'm interested in knowing how they will sport their para. The idea of wearing one of my t-shirts to work doesn't sound like something I could do, ... not with a straight face at least, as it is probably my most obvious attempt at getting attention. But I'd definitely carry a tote bag. I also like the idea of placing handcrafted items on the wall or shelves, or even beautiful AKA ornaments for our desks. Oh, I can't wait! I'm starting to feel the school spirit already.

Thanks, Soror AKA2D '91, for referring me to this thread.

[KAPital PHINUst]

My office is business casual, though I wore my letters to work for the first time last week via a professional training seminar the Ohio Society of CPAs have every year that we attend. I wore my golf shirt with the letters and "Columbus, OH Alumni Chapter" below it. Most of the professionals are dressed down anyway, so I blended right in for the most part. I didn't meet any Nupes or Greeks at the seminar, though I usually do other years, but at the Convention Center there was also a pastors conference going on, and an older fellow Nupe saw me and we greeted each other and chatted for a minute, so in essence it did pay off to have my letters.

I might have to wear nalia more often (via lapel pins and whatnot), there's an Alpha I work with on various projects and I can't have him one-up me on representing our respective orgs, knowhatImean?

[Velocity_14]

I have only a few times. I wore a shirt on Memorial Day since I had to work and the other two times were because I was going straight to some events right after work and both times were on a Sat. Other than that may carry a tote every once and a while but a lot of people at work often have on their line jackets and shirts. I guess it depends on where you work but as someone mentioned before just follow the dress code at work first.

[GRITS]

While I haven't directly worn any nalia to work...i do carry an AKA tote quite often...and I think I wore a pin on founders day...but i know they know i'm involved, because I talk about our projects all the time!!

[Professor]

I have Andy and Ann Alpha and AKA figurines atop of a book shelf. The Alpha figurine sits on an Alpha history book and two Alpha directories. Beside it is a coffee cup with the Alpha shield which is next to a wooden hand of the Alpha sign. In the center is a gold vase with some old baby's breath that came from flowers Constance sent me a few Valentine's ago. Next to that is a picture of a GC member with her unpainted finger nail held high -lol. On a wall is my life membership certificate along with plaques from the Pan Hell and several other organizations. On my desk are two paper weights - one is crystal and the other stone. Now to the question, I wear the letters when I'm working half days or when I'm leaving from my job to go out of town. I also have an umbrella in my office and keep one in each of my other two vehicles. To that end, I don’t mind representing at work!!!

[delph998]

On casual Friday I will rock my alumnae chapter polo like it's nothing.

[TotallyWicked]

I wear shirts once in a great while....try not to make it too obvious, we're mentors..so dress code is pretty leniant. Two of my former co-workers are AKA's and they'd walk into work wearing their colors/letters or other AKA Symbols like every other day! Needless to say all the kids knew what org they belonged to

[lovelyivy84]

There are no casual days in this consultant gig. I wear a suit or the equivalent of one every day. I do have a beautiful silver lapel pin, but I'm afraid that it would be seen as unprofessional of me to wear it.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by lovelyivy84

There are no casual days in this consultant gig. I wear a suit or the equivalent of one every day. I do have a beautiful silver lapel pin, but I'm afraid that it would be seen as unprofessional of me to wear it.

Well among other things, you are a professional woman and AKA is a professional organization... so seems appropriate.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

I work right in the thick of NYU, and I don't see too many people wearing letters--is this just something that happens more in the spring? I do see more MCGLO letters than NPC/NIC orgs.

i know this is old... but MCGLOs are blowing up at NYU these days and honestly, i dont recall NPC/NIC wearing a lot of para all that much. I guess if you weren't greek or weren't looking for it, you'd never know greek life existed.

NPHC and MCGLOs - will bust out a line jacket during winter finals
NPC/NIC - will wear a lettered shirt in the back corner of the library

ok thats extreme but yeah, the sporting of the para definitely varies.

[lovelyivy84]

Originally Posted by tld221

Well among other things, you are a professional woman and AKA is a professional organization... so seems appropriate.

I know, but there tends to be VERY little self-expression encouraged, lol. I have seen no college pins, no organization pins on any of the other consultants, male or female. I think I will play it by ear and let it depend on the client.

[AKA2D '91]

Originally Posted by Professor

I have Andy and Ann Alpha and AKA figurines atop of a book shelf. The Alpha figurine sits on an Alpha history book and two Alpha directories. Beside it is a coffee cup with the Alpha shield which is next to a wooden hand of the Alpha sign. In the center is a gold vase with some old baby's breath that came from flowers Constance sent me a few Valentine's ago. Next to that is a picture of a GC member with her unpainted finger nail held high -lol. On a wall is my life membership certificate along with plaques from the Pan Hell and several other organizations. On my desk are two paper weights - one is crystal and the other stone. Now to the question, I wear the letters when I'm working half days or when I'm leaving from my job to go out of town. I also have an umbrella in my office and keep one in each of my other two vehicles. To that end, I don’t mind representing at work!!!

And what do you have at home?

[Onenine08]

I work in student affairs at a university, so I wear 'nalia when its appropriate and if it fits my office attire. I don't wear t-shirts to work period, so I only wear jewelry, jackets, or sweaters. Plus -- I have 'nalia in my office. In my case it helps to bridge a gap between my students and me. I'm an administrator and I graduated from college over 10 years ago, but the students like to know that I was once an undergrad soror. BUT I have to be careful in not seeming as if I am biased towards my sorority when it comes to my work. It is important that I connect with all of the greek organizations on my campus.

Onenine08